Feline-friendly cafe to offer different strokes for cat-lovin' folks

By Laura Banks

Cat lovers rejoice - your feline fantasies are about to come true. And with a side of milk for yourself perhaps.

Yarraville couple Anita and Myles Loughran have set their sights on opening Australia's first cat cafe. The pair, in full fund-raising mode for their moggy mission, just need $45,000.

Anita and Myles Loughran are hoping to raise $45,000.Credit:Eddie Jim

Popular in Japan, cat cafes allow patrons to watch and play with friendly felines for a small cover charge, all with a cappuccino.

Mrs Loughran, 27, said the couple visited a cat cafe in Japan this year and felt Melbourne was missing a moggy mecca. She said it took three months of petitioning Melbourne City Council to get an informal go-ahead. The permit application process can't start until a venue has been secured.

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''They've said to us that they agree to have a cat cafe in the city centre as long as we have the cats separate from the food,'' Mrs Loughran said. ''So we've been busy designing a fitout that will comply with occupational health and safety standards.''

Although Mrs Loughran is allergic to cats, she said she wouldn't let her sensitivities deter her. ''I'll be getting injections from the doctor before we open,'' she laughed.

The first cat cafe opened in Taiwan in 1998. Since then, feline-friendly venues have popped up in other parts of Asia and throughout Europe.

The couple hope to rescue eight cats and kittens from animal shelters.

''Cat cafes offer a great solution to those wanting a pet who are unable to own one due to small apartment spaces in the city centre, landlords who don't allow cats, long working hours, and cost,'' Mrs Loughran said.

''It is also scientifically proven and accepted that interacting with cats can help lower high blood pressure, stress levels, anxiety and decrease the chance of strokes.''

Mrs Loughran said the pair aimed to raise $45,000 through crowd funding, which would go towards refurbishment. They would also draw from their savings to buy furniture and equipment. They will look to secure a venue when they have reached their fund-raising goal.

''For anyone who might be concerned about the welfare of the cats, they will have complete autonomy and be able to stay in the main cat area with customers or retreat to a private cat-only room,'' she said.

''In Japan, most of the cats are pure-breds but if you replace them with rescue cats, it brings a whole new meaning to the cafe.''